The Three Spirit Stones

The next day, Cheng Yu accompanied Li Yunze to visit the hydraulic press factory.

The factory was built on the river bank, and a dam was built upstream to form a reservoir.

The flow of river water drives huge water wheels, and the water wheels in turn drive bearings. Large punching machines more than ten feet high are working "bang bang bang", which is very spectacular at first glance.

The ancients had a long history of using water power!

The earliest records of the use of water power appeared in the Han Dynasty. At that time, it was mainly used for processing grains such as pounding rice and grinding flour. By the Song and Yuan dynasties, hydraulic machinery was widely used in agriculture, metal smelting, textiles, and astronomical instrument manufacturing.

Cheng's Industry also has several factories in other places that use water power. In addition to water power, there is also wind power. They built large windmills on the hillside and used the power of wind to perform stamping and other tasks.

There is no other way. In ancient times, there was too little energy available for human use.

Cheng Yu once asked Acai if it was possible to generate electricity?

A Cai said that generating electricity requires magnets and coils that generate electricity. Magnets have a magnetic force that attracts metals such as iron. The range of this force is called the magnetic field. When the coil moves in this magnetic field, it will generate electricity.

But after electricity is generated, a series of related facilities are needed before it can be used. For example, the simplest rubber is used to make electrical wires. This alone is a technical barrier today, and there are many other technical barriers!

Electric energy is a great discovery. It took mankind four hundred years from the discovery to the ability to use it. During this period, countless scientists continued to invent and improve it before we had the electricity we can use today.

This time, Acai said very self-awarely, I am just an excellent student in engineering. Although I am gifted, I am not a scientist. How can I realize such a century-changing industrial revolution?

But seeing Cheng Yu's disappointed expression, she added that although it would be a long process to use electricity, there was still some hope of making a steam engine.

So in the past two years, a group of people at Cheng Industry began to study steam engines.

Li Yunze considered himself to be well-informed, but he was still shocked to see this level of industrialization.

The use of water power has indeed existed since ancient times. In Xiongzhou, there are many water-powered pestles and water mills for pounding rice, grinding flour, and making tea.

But it is very rare to use water power to such an extreme like they did.

The punching machine had the greatest impact on him. Identical iron pieces fell down one by one with a loud bang. When strung together with cowhide ropes, they became a piece of armor.

He had studied the previous battle in Sandu Valley carefully and knew that the key to victory was the explosives provided by Cheng Yu, but seeing these armors produced on the assembly line made him realize intuitively that this war was won as a matter of course.

Now, all the armor in the arsenal is manufactured by Cheng's Industry. The price is at least 70% cheaper than before, and the quality is also very good. After seeing it, Emperor Zhenzong of Song Dynasty immediately decided to let Cheng's Industry be responsible for the production of armor.

In addition to the punching press, Cheng Yu also took Li Yunze to visit the explosives test, which was another shock to him.

After the visit, they talked in detail in the study for a day.

He was worried about Cheng Yu's control of so many cutting-edge technologies.

Any tree that is beautiful in the forest will be destroyed by the wind!

A person who is not an emperor but has the most advanced technology in the empire and can even influence the direction of a country is very dangerous.

Sometimes it’s not a question of whether you want to or not, but your very existence squeezes the living space of others.

For example, Zhao Heng authorized Cheng's Industry to fully produce armor. Before that, armor and military equipment were a profit chain. Countless people made a living or even engaged in corruption through it, but now all of it has become nothing. It is hard not to arouse jealousy.

Cheng Yu understood Li Yunze's concerns very well. He comforted him by saying that he had already realized this, so he submitted a memorial to the emperor, requesting that the craftsmen and low-level officials who had worked in the Armoury and Arsenal be arranged to work in Cheng's Industry so that this group of people could have a normal income.

Those middle and senior officials have indeed lost a source of income, but these people do not live on just a salary; they have many ways to make money.

If they want to use tricks and schemes, then let them do it. He is not afraid of that. He will fight to the end.

These are Cheng Yu’s original words!

Hearing this, Li Yunze could only sigh inwardly!

Throughout history, there are countless examples of men who have given everything, even their lives, to achieve something.

I just hope that people like him who truly work for the people can be blessed by God and enjoy lasting blessings!

Li Yunze stayed in Bianjing for half a month and was about to set off to return to Xiongzhou.

He ordered a thousand bags of cement from Cheng Yu, who first gave him three hundred bags and had the rest delivered to him later.

In addition to cement and some construction equipment, he also sent three people back to Xiongzhou with him. Two of them were construction craftsmen, and one was a student from Cheng's Industrial School.

This is understandable to the construction workers, after all, it was the first time cement was used and someone gave them guidance.

But when he saw the fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, Li Yunze was a little confused.

He didn't understand what was the point of Cheng Yu sending this child, who hadn't even fully grown yet, to him?

Cheng Yu said that this was a top student in their school, and he would help you design whatever project you needed to build.

Li Yun didn't quite understand what he said, but considering that Cheng Yu must have his reasons, he didn't say anything.

The night before he left, Cheng Yu held a farewell banquet and gave Li Yunze four telescopes.

Li Yunze was ecstatic, he needed this magical weapon so much.

Xiongzhou is located at the front line of the Song-Liao battlefield. It is more important to grasp the enemy's movements in time than anything else. Knowing the enemy first is the key to success. Victory or defeat often depends on that moment.

Holding these four telescopes, he was so excited that tears came out of his eyes.

This trip to Bianjing was so rewarding that he stood up and bowed deeply to Cheng Yu, which frightened Cheng Yu so much that he quickly held him up and said, "Absolutely not."

"On behalf of the people of Xiongzhou, I would like to thank the loyal and brave Marquis for his generosity. I know that cement and this... telescope are rare items nowadays, but you provided them to me without hesitation. I will remember this kindness in my heart."

Cheng Yu held his hand and said sincerely, "Uncle Li, please don't kill me. You are a loyal man. I heard that whether you are managing the market, inspecting officials, checking money, grain and prisons, or inspecting river defense projects and dredging the rivers in the capital, you always put the people first and serve the public with integrity."

"You are now the governor of Xiongzhou. This place is the front line of the struggle against the Liao Kingdom. What is most needed is someone who is wise and strategic and can plan and grasp the overall situation."

"I am only offering you some limited help within my ability. It is not worth mentioning compared to your achievements. Please do not kill me."

These words are from Cheng Yu's heart.

Li Yunze was deeply moved after hearing this, and finally understood why he was willing to help him unconditionally.

Because they are all the same kind of people, with the same innocent heart.